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Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Elliott, Burton Learning In Martinsville Truck Test

Chase Elliott

Chase Elliott and Jeb Burton have famous
fathers in the NASCAR world. Both second-generation drivers are adamant,
though, their careers will be made on their own skills and hard work.

Both were hard at work Tuesday
during a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series test session at Martinsville
Speedway, in advance of the Kroger 250 on April 6.

Asked if being the son of the legendary
“Awesome” Bill Elliott will create any pressure in his NASCAR Camping World
Truck Series debut on April 6, 17-year old Chase Elliott responded, “Nope, not
at all. He’s my dad and I’m me, and I’m trying to make a name for myself. I’m
going to try to do my best no matter what.”

Burton agreed, saying, “Chase and I
are trying to make a name for ourselves. It’s good to have our fathers in the
sport and help us as much as they can, but once we get into the race car, it’s
our own destiny.

“My dad has raised me to be
respectful of people. He tries to help me on the race track as much as he can
and sometimes that is a battle between us. I’m sure Chase has been through the
same thing. (My father) wants the best for me, though, and I know Chase’s dad
does for him."
﻿﻿﻿﻿

Jeb Burton

Both fathers had amazing NASCAR
careers. Bill Elliott was the 1988 Cup Series champion and had 55 Cup wins in
his career. Ward Burton recorded five Cup wins over 17 years, including the
1992 Daytona 500 and the 1991 Southern 500. Ironically, neither of the two ever
fared well on Martinsville’s difficult half-mile oval.

This season will be the younger
Elliott’s first foray into NASCAR’S top three national divisions. He has nine
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races scheduled, including both events at
Martinsville. A year ago, he raced in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series, where he
picked up a win and finished fourth in the championship standings. In February
of 2011 he signed a developmental contract with Hendrick Motorsports, and is
driving for that organization this year.

The 20-year-old Burton is running
the entire Camping World Truck Series schedule this season, and came out of the
gates strong three weeks ago with a fifth-place finish in the season opener at
Daytona International Speedway. He grew up in South Boston, Va. -- an hour east
of Martinsville Speedway -- and cut his racing teeth at nearby South Boston
Speedway, making the Kroger 250 more than just another race for him.

“Coming here to my hometown track,
with a bunch of family and fans here, it’s going to be short-track racing and
that’s what I was brought up on,” he said. “We need to get out of here with
another Top-5 finish and keep our momentum.”

Elliott and Burton were among five
drivers testing at Martinsville today, along with Miquel Paludo, defending series
champion James Buescher and Caleb Holman. All five will return tomorrow for a
second day of testing, joined by Bryan Silas and Scott Riggs. The test is open
to the public, free of charge.

Tickets for the STP Gas Booster 500 on
Sunday, April 7, the Kroger 250 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race on
Saturday, April 6 and NASCAR Sprint Cup and Camping World Truck Series practice
and qualifying on Friday, April 5 are on sale and can be purchased by calling
1.877.RACE.TIX. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.martinsvillespeedway.com. Tickets
for youth 12 and under are just $10 in the Clay Earles Tower, rows 15-52. Teen
tickets (ages 13-17) in the same area are $25. Youth and teen ticket prices are
good with the purchase of an adult ticket.